This morning, DCMS announced the Creative Industries Sector Plan, an ambitious 10 year plan to drive the UK’s Creative Industries from £17 billion in 2023 to £31 billion by 2035.
As part of this long-term strategy, the Government has pledged to more than double its targeted support for the creative industries sector. This includes a mix of sector-wide initiatives to help creative businesses, including those in the fashion industry, to scale, export and future proof their operations, while maintaining their cutting-edge creative identity.
Quoting directly from the plan, it outlines several welcome commitments specific to the fashion industry, including:
- DCMS will continue to invest in the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme, backing emerging UK designers with funding for London Fashion Week showcases and business mentoring.
- The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will continue to champion international trade promotion for the fashion and design sector through initiatives like guest programmes and key international trade shows.
- The Government will provide funding for London Fashion Week.
- Having identified the fashion sector as a particular sub-sector with complex global supply chains vulnerable to disruption, DBT will deepen their understanding of supply chain vulnerabilities through a new Supply Chain Centre, which will identify strategic inputs where additional action, such as building domestic capabilities or diversifying imports, is needed to build resilience.
These fashion-specific initiatives are part of a wider suite of measures which the government says are aimed at strengthening the creative economy, including:
- A significant increase in support from the British Business Bank for the Creative Industries with debt and equity finance.
- A new working group to tackle barriers to IP-backed lending in the Creative Industries.
- A government and industry partnership to deliver a refreshed UK-wide £9 million creative careers service.
- An increase in the number of creative trade missions and markets targeted, building on traditional markets like the EU and the United States, as well as fast-growing markets such as the Asia-Pacific.
- A commitment to make UK IP rights the best protected in the world, setting a gold enforcement standard in the UK and internationally to protect rights owned by UK businesses.
- A new 10 Downing Street-led Global Talent Taskforce to turbocharge the UK approach to international talent attraction. This will include making the Global Talent Visa more accessible to a broader range of design talent.
The BFC will be working with the government to understand the direct impact of sector-wide initiatives on fashion sector businesses and talent as the plan develops and moves into delivery.
Laura Weir, CEO of the British Fashion Council, said:
“I met one-to-one with Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, last week, and she was clear that fashion and in particular the support of emerging business and creativity was one of her personal priorities at DCMS.
It’s encouraging to see that commitment reflected in today’s announcement, particularly through continued investment in BFC NEWGEN and London Fashion Week. NEWGEN has long been a launchpad for some of the fashion industry’s most important voices, and this support ensures the next generation can access the tools, mentorship and exposure they need to thrive on a global stage.
Fashion’s prominent inclusion in the Creative Industries Sector Plan sends a clear message: British fashion is not only culturally powerful, but commercially essential. We look forward to working with the Government and our partners to deliver the next era of growth, creativity and global influence in British fashion.”
Fashion’s inclusion in this long-term plan is a strong and welcome signal of recognition for our sector’s economic, cultural and international value. The UK has long been a launchpad for some of the world’s most visionary designers and creative businesses and today’s announcement strengthens our ability to support that legacy for future generations.
This is also a clear endorsement of London Fashion Week as a global platform that drives culture, creativity and commerce, and an essential part of the UK’s soft power and economic story.
We are continuing to seek full visibility of the Government’s financial commitments behind these proposals and will be working closely with DCMS, DBT, the British Business Bank and wider stakeholders as business planning for 2026–29 progresses. It is vital that fashion’s voice remains front and centre of the creative industries investment agenda.
We are incredibly grateful to our members, patrons and partners whose ongoing engagement – through survey responses, roundtables and ministerial meetings has been instrumental in securing this recognition. Your contributions continue to shape our advocacy.